New Zealand might be remote from northern hemisphere economies, but in a globally interconnected world, what happens in one place inevitably has knock-on effects everywhere. The country might have been able to protect itself differently from other places when dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, and its response was largely regarded as one of the best in the world. However, like everywhere else, the country has not been immunised against the cost of living crisis, which has affected most Western economies in recent years.
In 2023, 90% of polled New Zealanders said that reducing living costs was ‘important’, and it was ranked above any other concern. More than half of people questioned said they were ‘in serious difficulty’ or ‘struggling to pay their bills. Before the cost of living crisis, the average middle-class family saved between NZ$100 and $ 150 a week. However, recent price inflation and hikes in interest rates mean that many families face shortfalls. Living costs for the average New Zealand household rose 7.2% between June 2022 and June 2023, the largest recorded since the late 1980s. Inflation is easing, but grocery food prices have shot up, driven by a jump in the cost of fruit and vegetables.
Therefore, it is little wonder that people are trying to educate themselves in ways to save money, and one of the most popular formats people are engaging in is podcasts. While social media and YouTube are often talked about, recent statistics show that audio and video podcast downloads and streaming are on the increase. 10 years ago, podcasts were considered somewhat of a niche market, but now, 40% of Kiwis say they have listened to a podcast in the past month. 80% of the population is aware of podcasts, and those who listen to them, listen to an average of five per week. Almost half of the listeners are under 45.
However people are not just interested in saving money on their household bills. They are also keen to find out how to access offers and promotions on travel, retail and entertainment. They can find a vast selection of topics, including shows covering property, casino bonuses and gambling tips, the best in cinema, and financial stories like Reagan White’s highly acclaimed Where’s My Money? podcast.
Financial podcasts are not some college accounting professor droning on about economics and the elasticity of supply and demand. Banish the thoughts of accountants trying to turn Jack into a dull boy. Today’s money podcasts are as entertaining as they are informative. It’s not just putting away coins in a piggy bank for a rainy day anymore. It’s experts telling you how to do extreme couponing, life hacks to make your money go way further than you ever thought, casino gurus showing you that right here are the best promotions to save you a few bucks, and motivational speakers telling you how to get that next work promotion faster.
Unlike radio shows, people can listen to podcasts when they choose, and many people download and listen during their commute in the car or on their headphones. They are also great to listen to around the house, while exercising or as an alternative to watching the TV. Although books and magazines are a great pastime, you can listen to a podcast and do something else which is why they are so appealing. Whether you are looking to live debt-free, plan for retirement, or want to work out how to clean up at a poker tournament, here are our choices for some of the best podcasts around right now.
The Happy Saver
This podcast features real-life stories rather than lectures on the topic. Fronted by Happy Saver Ruth, the show touches on virtually every life event and money issue you can think of. It is presented in a relatable and humorous fashion. The underlying concept is how to achieve a debt-free lifestyle and live happily.
Your Money With Mary Holm
This is the podcast brought to you by New Zealand’s ‘first lady of finance’. Mary Holm is an expert with genuine knowledge and is an authority on her subject. She covers the hottest money topics, including how to save for retirement and play the markets. She is also upfront about financial mistakes and how to avoid them.
The Gamble House
Let’s be honest: gambling is not going to save money. However, it is a form of entertainment huge numbers of people enjoy and, if approached sensibly, can be enormous fun and offer the lure of winning big. This podcast is presented by seasoned veterans who understand that it is usually the house that wins. They cover all kinds of topics, sharing their experience on their favourite games and industry news. They also delve into various strategies and share banter about casino games.
Cooking The Books
Cooking The Books is a weekly podcast by personal finance expert and author Frances Cook. The show covers everything from mortgages to budgeting and day-to-day expense management. The show demystifies money problems that many Kiwis face.
The One Up Project
The lead on the One Up Project is 22-year-old Sarah Kelsey, who wants to excite people about how to grow their financial pie. This show is targeted at people who would not usually listen to money podcasts and is presented in a very relatable way. This is more of a motivational lifestyle podcast with guests teaching listeners about money matters and entrepreneurs sharing their ‘secrets of success’. The show also throws in self-development and is a guided journey to financial know-how.
Keep The Change
Keep The Change is about improving financial literacy. In the show, Luke shares his insights from being a Chartered Accountant, recounting stories of successful and failing clients. He is also not afraid to tell listeners of the ‘dumb sh!t’ he has done himself in the hope that listeners might learn from his mistakes!
The podcasts have taken off because they are engaging and easily accessible. With no set time to listen, people can pick up and put down as and when they choose. They can find a presenter who suits their listening style and learn along the way. Podcasts are simple to access, and the best ones are humorous, informative and relatively informal. As with all podcasts, content and production matter, and money-saving is something that most Kiwis are interested in right now.